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JPSO seeking clues in murder of New Orleans father gunned down near Shrewsbury club

Verdell Brown2.jpg

Verdell Brown, 32, was gunned down Sunday night near a bar in the 1100 block of South Causeway Boulevard in Shrewsbury. Brown, of New Orleans, is the father of an 11-year-old girl and a baby due in April.
(Michelle Anderson)

Brown's relatives are praying some of those same witnesses will help find his killers. "Deep in my heart, I know they're going to have them before this week is out," said Brown's grandmother, Barbara M. Brown, 68.

As of Monday evening, no arrests had been made in the killing of Brown, 32, of New Orleans, which took place about 11:50 p.m. outside of the red-bricked Young Men's Club, 1113 S. Causeway Blvd., Jefferson. Authorities released no motive for the killing.

Employees said Brown frequented the bar on weekends. Brown wasn't known to be feuding with anyone, according to his mother, Cynthia Brown, 51. Grieving relatives who gathered at her Hollygrove home Monday morning said they had no clue as to why someone would have wanted him dead.

"From him you got nothing but love," she said. "We have no idea what happened."

Verdell Brown was born and raised in New Orleans. He attended Alcee Fortier High School, though he did not finish, she said. He performed plumbing work until jobs got scarce.

His mother said he had an 11-year-old daughter, Skyé Robinson, and was expecting a baby due in April. "She's taking it hard," Cynthia Brown said of Skyé.

In addition to his mother, grandmother and daughter, Verdell Brown is also survived by his father, Herbert Mill; his younger brother, Michael Stewart Jr.; his grandfather, Roland Brown; his stepfather, Kenneth Merredith and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins. Many stopped by Brown's home to lend comfort to one another.

Over in Shrewsbury, two pink roses lay in the street near the large pool of blood that marked the spot where Brown was shot multiple times. Nearby residents said Sunday night's violence has become rare in a neighborhood that, a few years ago, resembled a battleground.

Shrewsbury experienced a series of shootings in 2007 and 2008. But resident Edward Rhea said there really isn't much trouble any more, though he occasionally has to fend off bar patrons who block his driveway.

Another neighbor, Johnny Watson, said he's lived in Shrewsbury for 40 years. "It's been pretty much quiet in the neighborhood," he said. "A couple of years ago, it was a whole lot worse."

Watson said residents periodically hear gunshots, sometimes when the bar is open. But he was hesitant to blame any trouble on the bar and said the business usually is not a problem.

Employees said the bar shut down Sunday night around 11 p.m. Many of the patrons were still outside when the shooting occurred.

It's likely one of them knew Verdell Brown, shared a beer with him and perhaps may hold a clue to the identity of his kilers. "I hope somebody comes forward," Cynthia Brown said.

Anyone with information about the murder of Verdell Brown is asked to call the Sheriff's Office investigations bureau at 504.364.5300. The public can also call Crimestoppers at 504.822.1111 or toll-free at 877.903.7867. Tips can be texted to C-R-I-M-E-S (274637); text TELLCS then the crime information. Callers or texters do not have to give their names or testify and can earn a $2,500 reward for information that leads to an indictment.